Since then my nose has acclimated to the scents, and I no longer notice the wonderful smell of the air I breathe, but it would be hard to ignore the source of the fragrance. Along every stretch of wall, road, and house, exotic plants flower continuously and effortlessly, thanks to the humid, warm climate. All these flowers are free-growing; no one tends to them, weeds them, or waters them. I guess you could say the Lord is the best landscaper there is! J
Just the other day, Hannah and I were out driving hither and yon about the village. I noticed a gorgeous plumeria tree in someone’s front yard—the blossoms were hot pink and white, and looked as if someone had painted them. I might have suspected it if I hadn’t seen them growing on the tree! Also, no one here has time to be painting flowers on bushes; they’re too busy harvesting crops, tending to children, and washing laundry. I remarked to Hannah that those were the prettiest plumeria flowers I had ever seen, and she responded with, “Would you like some for your hair?” I had forgotten that flowers are free for the picking here—as long as you don’t cut them, anyone is allowed to take any flower off any bush or tree. Hannah found several for me that had fallen out of the tree and lay on the ground, waiting for someone to come along and take them home. It still amazes me that something that would be so expensive at home is of so little account here!
This may not be my most exciting post, but I’m still hearing from people who say, “Tell us everything! Show us everything!” Okay, I’m taking you at your word and showing you some of the plant-life of remote Samoa. Don’t worry—I have a longer, more interesting post coming later in the week if you’ll hang in there! J
Okay, this post is a little more random than I thought it was going to be! I will have a more organized, less random post soon--I just have a lot of pictures that don't really go in any particular category.